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Macaroni and Cheese Three Yummy Recipes your Family will Enjoy!

5 Ingredient, Pressure Cooker, and Faux Keto-friendly macaroni and cheese recipes!

By Charlotte Linde, publisher of Macaroni Kid EATS! June 28, 2022

Who doesn't love Macaroni and Cheese? Your family can dive into a bowl - or three of cheesy goodness! Everyone loves a good ole' mac and cheese and there are so many different variations out there. We've put together three different versions for you: An easy 5 ingredient macaroni and cheese; a Keto friendly macaroni and cheese; and of course we had to throw in a macaroni and cheese in your instant pot. Hey, we might be a little biased, but anything with macaroni is "super tasty" in our book! 



FG trade from Getty Images Signature via Canva

5 Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups of milk
  • 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil.
  2. Add the pasta and stir constantly until the pasta is cooked about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir constantly, as you can burn the milk easily.
  3. Turn off the heat, then add in the cheddar, butter, and mustard. 
  4. Stir until the cheese is melted, the other ingredients are blended well. 
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste.


Andres Parra Lopez Pastor from Getty Images via Canva

Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of dry elbow macaroni (or your favorite pasta)
  • 4 cups broth of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk or half and half

Instructions:

  • Add the uncooked macaroni, chicken broth, butter, mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper, and nutmeg into the pressure cooker.  
  • Place the lid on the pot and set to sealing.  
  • Cook on manual function, high pressure for 5 minutes. Then, do a quick release. 
  • Stir in the cheeses and milk until smooth. Add more milk if needed.

Keto-Friendly Faux Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 2 large heads cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar - Reserve 1/2 cup for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Fill a pot with water, boil, and add cauliflower. Boil until the cauliflower is soft, about 10 minutes or just until soft (al dente). Turn off heat, drain, and return to pot.
  3. In a small bowl, mix all of the seasonings together to combine.
  4. Add cream, butter, cream cheese, 2 cups of the shredded cheese and mixed seasonings to the pot and stir well. Taste for salt and pepper seasoning and add a dash more heavy cream if needed.
  5. Pour into a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. 
  6. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.

Optional: Garnish with paprika and / or parsley.


This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid EATS! Want to be part of our foodie family? Sign up to get EATS in your inbox for free!